Essential Fall Yard Chores To Prepare for Winter

As the leaves begin to change and temperatures drop, it’s time to prepare your yard for the winter months ahead. Doing these fall yard maintenance tasks will protect your landscape and ensure a healthy, vibrant spring.

This guide will walk you through the essential fall yard chores, from gutter cleaning to creating a winter haven for birds. Here are my recommendations to set your outdoor space up for success and make spring cleanup a breeze.

Preparing Your Gutters for Winter

Fall yard clean-up starts with the gutters, which protect your home from water damage. Clean gutters prevent ice dams and water overflow that can damage your foundation, siding, and landscaping. 

First, you can have gutter guards installed to keep leaves out. Second, there are leaf blower extensions that can reach up into the gutter and blow leaves out. 

Cleaning Techniques and Safety Precautions

Cleaning gutters requires setting up a ladder to reach them. Remember to always have someone holding the bottom of the ladder, and don’t try to stretch that extra two or three feet. Get down and move the ladder instead. If you’re uncomfortable with heights, consider hiring a professional or using alternative cleaning methods.

To clean your gutters, start by:

1. Removing debris by hand or with a small scoop
2. Flush the gutters with water to check for proper drainage
3. Clear any clogs in downspouts

Checking Your Gutters for Water Flow

Once they are clean, take a hose and pour some water into your gutters and watch where it goes. Do you need extensions to direct the water away from your foundation and prevent leaks? When diverting water, be sure to avoid driveways and walkways, which could ice over and become hazards in the winter.

Gutter Maintenance Tools and Alternatives

For those who prefer to avoid ladders, there are several alternatives:

1. Gutter guards: These prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutters. There are DIY options, or you can have them professionally installed.
2. Leaf blower extensions: Use your leaf blower to reach gutters from the ground to blow out debris.
3. Telescoping gutter cleaning tools: These tools allow you to clean from ground level so you don’t need to get up on a ladder.

Regardless of the method you choose, ensure that the joints where gutters meet downspouts are thoroughly cleaned.

Lawn Care in Autumn

Fall lawn care sets the stage for a lush, healthy lawn in the spring. Proper maintenance during this season can prevent winter damage and promote early green-up. Here’s what you need to do before the weather turns cold.

Final Mowing and Grass Trimming

Before winter sets in, give your lawn a final trim. Cut the grass shorter than usual to prevent matting, disease, and rodent damage. This final mow also helps distribute nutrients more evenly throughout the winter.

Leaf Management Strategies

Leaf cleanup is an ongoing battle in the fall, but it’s necessary to prevent smothering your lawn. However, don’t worry about removing every last leaf from plant beds. As leaves break down, they can provide insulation and nutrients to plants.

To manage leaves effectively, here’s what I recommend:

1. Use a rake or leaf blower to gather leaves.
2. Pile leaves onto a tarp for easy transport.
3. Compost leaves or use them as mulch in garden beds.
4. For large areas, consider using a lawn mower with a mulching attachment.

Remember to recycle leaves in your compost pile or at a local recycling center. If composting at home, shred the leaves to speed up decomposition.

Winterizing Your Lawn Equipment

Since you won’t be using your lawn equipment for several months, properly storing it during the off-season will ensure it’s ready to go when spring arrives. 

Lawn Mower Maintenance

Before storing your lawn mower for winter:

1. Run the lawn mower until it runs out of gas. Gas left in the tank over the winter will gum up the carburetor, preventing it from running as well next spring.
2. Change the oil and grease the engine.
3. Remove and inspect the spark plug. Then add a few drops of oil to the spark plug hole and pull the start cord to lubricate the engine so it won’t rust.

In the spring, you’ll only have to add gas and sharpen the blades before you can start mowing again.

Storing Garden Hoses

You probably won’t be using your garden hose over the winter, so it’s best to safely store it away. Here’s what to do:

1. Drain it completely by laying it on a downward slope.
2. Coil it as you pull it towards you.
3. Tie it up and store it in a garage or shed.

Fall Fertilizing for a Healthy Spring

Fall fertilization will promote strong root growth and early spring green-up. In early November, I like to fertilize the lawn with a high phosphorus mixture. This promotes root growth over the winter, leading to a healthier, greener lawn in spring. Follow the product instructions for application rates and timing.

Fall is also a great time to fertilize trees and shrubs. This helps them store nutrients for winter and promotes healthy growth in spring. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer and apply it around the drip line of the plant.

I don’t recommend pruning ornamental trees and shrubs, as they can contract dieback and suffer from winter desiccation—although I will admit to pruning my holly trees right before Christmas for some festive decorations.

Preparing Your Garden for Winter

Preparing your garden in the fall protects your plants and sets the stage for a productive growing season next year. Follow these tips to ensure your garden thrives.

Caring for Perennials

As perennials fade, cut them back to prevent disease and improve appearance. While doing so:

1. Remove dead foliage and stems. You can add these to your compost pile.
2. Scratch some super phosphate fertilizer into the soil around your perennials.
3. Rake lime and fertilizer into the soil bed and add mulch.

Some perennials, like ornamental grasses, can be left standing for winter interest and wildlife habitat.

Prepping Vegetable Gardens

Clear out your vegetable garden to prevent pest and disease issues:

1. Remove all plant debris and add it to your compost pile.
2. Till the soil lightly to expose pest eggs to cold temperatures.
3. Apply a layer of compost or aged manure.
4. Consider planting a cover crop like winter rye to improve soil health.

Snow Removal Preparation

Being prepared for snow removal makes winter maintenance much easier and safer. Here’s how you can get ready.

Snowblower Maintenance

Nothing’s more frustrating than having your snowblower not start when the first snowstorm hits. If you own a snowblower, perform these maintenance tasks before the first snowfall:

1. Change the oil and check the spark plug.
2. Inspect belts and replace if necessary.
3. Lubricate all moving parts.
4. Test the machine to ensure it’s working properly.

Organizing Snow Shovels and Ice Melt

Snow shovels have a funny habit of disappearing over the course of the year. Locate and inspect them, making sure they’re in good condition. Replace any damaged shovels. Stock up on ice melt or sand, storing it in an easily accessible location. Having these items ready will make snow and ice management much easier when winter storms hit.

Irrigation System Winterization

Winterizing your irrigation system prevents costly damage from freezing pipes. Follow these steps to protect your system.

1. Shut off the main water supply to your outdoor spigots.
2. Drain all water from the pipes.
3. Use compressed air to blow out any remaining water.
4. On the pipe, in between the shut-off and the spigot, you’ll find a weep valve that you can open and drain into a bucket. 
5. Install insulated covers over outdoor faucets.

Protecting Your Hardscape and Furniture

You’ll probably be spending a lot less time on your patio during the winter. Here’s how to look after your outdoor hardscape and furniture so that it’s ready to go when the weather warms up again.

Maintaining Outdoor Furniture

As winter approaches, safeguard your outdoor furniture:

1. Clean furniture thoroughly to remove dirt and debris.
2. Store cushions indoors to prevent mold and mildew.
3. Cover or store furniture in a shed or garage.

Preserving Hardscape Features

Your pathway, patio, and other hardscape features also need attention:

1. Clear paths of debris and fallen leaves to prevent staining and moss growth.
2. Repair any cracks or loose stones to avoid further damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
3. Consider applying a sealer to prevent winter moisture from penetrating the surface.

Creating a Winter Haven for Birds

One of the fall activities I enjoy most is setting up my bird feeders. After all my fall yard chores are done, there is nothing better than sitting back with a hot cup of coffee and watching the birds fly by. Attracting birds to your yard during winter adds life and color to the landscape while helping local wildlife. 

Setting Up Bird Feeders

Place bird feeders in sheltered areas, away from strong winds. Offer a variety of foods to attract different species:

• Black oil sunflower seeds for many bird types
• Nyjer seeds for finches
• Suet cakes for woodpeckers and nuthatches

Clean feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease among birds.

Providing Water Sources

Birds need water even in winter. Consider installing a heated birdbath or adding a water heater to an existing bath. Place the water source near shelter and keep it clean to encourage regular visits from feathered friends.